“This Simple Hack Could Save Your Family from the Social Media Trap – You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!”

By Familyguide Contributor

Gymnastics champion Shawn Johnson and her spouse Andrew East recently hosted Pastor Darren Whitehead on their podcast to explore the challenges posed by social media and discuss strategies for prioritizing family bonds over digital devices.

Whitehead shared a poignant moment when his children made him realize he was spending excessive time on his phone.

“They told me, ‘We wish you weren’t on your phone so much,'” he recounted. “Every parent older than me says the same thing. These years are fleeting and precious, and one day you’ll wake up to a quiet, empty house, missing the noise and commotion they used to make.”

“To think that I’ve wasted some of what people consider life’s most precious moments by mindlessly scrolling through cat videos on my phone is sobering. I’ve exchanged the infinitely valuable for the utterly trivial, and it was a real wake-up call. As a pastor, I realized these devices have insidiously crept into our lives.”

Andrew and Shawn became emotional as they grasped the gravity of social media addiction.

Whitehead elaborated, “Perhaps these devices are taking more from us than they’re giving. What we once controlled is now controlling us. When I ask people if they’ve ever done a digital detox, most say, ‘No, but I should.’ Everyone seems to sense that it’s negatively impacting their mental well-being.”

He suggests that in many ways, negative forces are using social media to disrupt valuable family time.

“John 10:10 states that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus says, ‘But I have come that they may have life abundantly.’ I believe that the enemy is using smartphones to steal our time, damage our relationships, and rob us of peace,” the pastor explained.

Familyguide previously highlighted the advantages of putting down our devices and embarking on a “digital detox”:

Have you ever tried disconnecting from your devices? Here’s how stepping away from the digital world can enhance your mental health and help you refocus on reality.

“A digital detox refers to a period when an individual abstains from using tech devices such as smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and social media platforms,” VeryWell Mind reports.

There are numerous benefits to putting devices aside.

According to Study Finds, a social media detox “decreased anxiety and depression.” The source states, “Many experts suggest the rise in anxiety, particularly in young people, is linked to social media. We constantly compare ourselves to our peers, and if a post doesn’t receive a certain number of likes or comments, we feel inadequate.”

Whitehead is so passionate about this issue that he authored a book titled The Digital Fast, released earlier this year.

“Envision a life where your days aren’t dictated by the constant notifications from social media, emails, and news alerts. The Digital Fast isn’t just about disconnecting from your phone; it’s about embracing a lifestyle that enhances your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being,” the book’s synopsis states.

Life is brief, and every moment spent on social media could have been devoted to something more meaningful. We have the power to choose how we spend our time, and ultimately, what we prioritize reveals what we truly value most.